The
brotherhood under the bridgeCincinnati sophomore finds lasting friendship in fraternity of magic gnomes

CINCINNATI
 Nationwide, fraternal organizations appear to be on the wane. Surveys have shown a
steady decline in fraternity and sorority membership for the last five years.

But many students still look to these groups to anchor their social lives during their
formative college years. For them, fraternities are places where, despite the complexities
of our times, friendship is still official, unbreakable, like a brotherhood. A case in
point: University of Cincinnati sophomore Andy Fleck.

Fleck was turned down from just about every fraternity on campus, from the
"jocks" in Tau Omega to Tri-Lams brainier set. No one seemed to want him.
Outcast and dejected, he had practically banished himself, spending most of his time under
a nearby bridge.

But this story has a happy ending. Fleck quickly made friends with a group of 12 magic
gnomes who lived under the bridge and collected gum wrappers and used prophylactics from
teenagers up above.

Unlike the fraternities that had spurned Fleck at every turn, the gnomes took him in
and treated him as one of their own. They gave him a makeshift bed of straw, and welcomed
him to their nightly feasts of berries and mutton. Fleck finally felt like he belonged.

"Theyre the best guys in the world, above or below the earths
crust," says Fleck, who has dubbed the group Alpha Alpha Alpha.
"Theyre so much cooler than those losers in Tau O or Tri-Lam. Alpha Alpha Alpha
rules!"

As is typical in fraternal organizations, the gnomes have directed a certain amount of
playful abuse, or hazing, at Fleck. While the group has no structured hazing
schedule, they have promised to work Andy "to death."

But Fleck understands that the hazing is crucial for the development of the fraternal
bond. "If the brothers want to eat a part of my body as a sign of trust on my part,
Ill do it," he said. "I love these guys. Joklib ate my left index finger
yesterday. I dont care. Hes my brother."

"An-dee" quickly found himself with a full social schedule, attending events
like "Kill Night," named for the rampant killing-and-eating spree that the
gnomes organize on the first night of the full moon. Flecks fast feet and a forced
marriage to a female gnome kept him from ending up as one of the victims. "Its
all in good fun," says Fleck cheerfully.